The Guardian

Belize Police Department Launches NationA very important conference was held at the Raccoon Street Police Station Conference Room on Tuesday, February 6, 2018. There, Hon. Elodio Aragon Jr., Minister of Home Affairs; as well as COMPOL, Allen Whylie; George Lovell, CEO, Ministry of Home Affairs; senior police officers, and other high ranking officials met to introduce the 2018-2020 Belize Police Department’s National Crime Fighting Strategy. The strategy was launched under the Ministry of Home Affairs with an effort to reduce crime across the country.

195 land titles to city employeesAs a “thank you”, 195 workers at the Belize City Council each received a land title on Thursday, February 1, 2018, some of them first time land owners. According to the outgoing mayor Darrel Bradley, the titles were given as an incentive to encourage efficiency and good work within the council employees. The lands, which totaled a 57-acre span and which is an area that was cleared and subdivided with this purpose, is located along mile 13 on the George Price Highway near Tropical Park.

Attempted murder charges dropped after almost 6 yearsAfter being accused of the offense of attempted murder, a Belizean domestic finally got her freedom almost six years later in the Supreme Court when her case ended in a nolle prosequi. That woman, 42-year-old Hilda Locario, was accused of trying to kill Shirley Leslie during a stabbing incident on February 15, 2012. Locario who has been coming to the court for almost 6 years is finally able to put the matter to rest after her last court date on Monday, February 5, 2018.

Israel Perez’s body found in shallow graveThe body of Israel Perez, a 27 year-old resident of Cotton Tree, was found buried in a shallow grave in the Harmonyville Community. The Immigration Dept. employee had been missing for a week until he was found in a shallow grave in the community, which is located at Mile 41 on the George Price Highway, just outside his home village.
Shortly before 8 a.m. on Tuesday, February 6, police were called out to area located a short distance off the side of the highway. In a shallow grave, they found Perez’s body in an advanced state of decomposition.

A new trouble free DFCDeputy Prime Minister, Hon. Patrick Faber, posted the following on his Facebook page on Thursday February 1:
“10 years at the helm of the DFC and not a peep of scandal... in fact it’s the opposite, the CDB gives the DFC, under her watch, the largest loan portfolio ever.... powerful lady... salute to Mrs. Natalie Ewing Goff!
He followed up stating:
“Truly happy to see that so many from all walks of life and even political persuasion agree that she is of such high character and ability. Mrs Goff insists that she does it with the support of a great staff at the DFC.”

CEMO Symposium 2018The City Emergency Management Organization held their 6th annual Symposium at the Biltmore Plaza on Wednesday, February 7, 2018. This year’s 2-day symposium was held under the theme “Building on Hurricane Preparedness, Response, and Resilience of Municipalities” and saw the participation and representation of several key stakeholders and sponsorship. Some stakeholders that gave remarks on day one of the symposium included representation from the Atlantic Bank, Belize Port Authority, the Embassy of Taiwan, Mayor Darrel Bradley and other councilors, CEMO, and other pertinent entities.

Belize City launches its ManifestoThe UDP’s Belize City Council slate on Thursday February 8 launched the manifesto which will be used as a reference for the development of the city in the next term of office. Speaking at the gathering at the party’s headquarters, each councilor candidate got the opportunity to expound on the work that has already been done in the various portfolios including Infrastructure, Socio-Economic Development, Traffic and Public Safety, Sports and Lifestyle and Sanitation and Environment.

A look inside Kolbe foundation as it transforms livesThe relative peace that now exists at the Belize Central Prison is as a result of a determined effort by its management to involve prisoners in a meaningful daily existence. They achieve this by allowing as many inmates as possible to engage in meaningful theoretical rehabilitation programs and useful vocational and occupational skills.
The three phase course offered a series of theoretical trainings such as the healing of the mind, breaking the cycle of gang violence and re-integration. The course attempts to break the cycle of gang violence by teaching and equipping inmates with viable skills.

Belmopan City Council gets new compactor truckThe Belmopan City Council continues to improve its garbage collection capabilities and this is especially now so with the acquiring of a new Garbage Compactor Truck. This new JAC Brand Garbage Compactor was purchased thanks to $150,000.00 Bz from the Belmopan Municipal Bond.
Another garbage compactor will also be obtained, and with the addition of a second Compactor Truck, the Belmopan City Council will not only be able to attend to households in the central area, but also in the periphery. Currently household garbage is collected in central Belmopan on both Mondays and Thursdays and in the surrounding areas such as Salvapan, San Martin, Maya Mopan and Las Flores only on Wednesdays.

Dangriga UDP launches its 2018 – 2021 ManifestoSunday February 4th 2018The Dangriga United Democratic Party launched its Town Council Elections Manifesto 2018–2021 this afternoon with the theme “Improving Lives, Development You Can See, Transformation you can feel.
The gathering was well attended by a throng of ardent UDP family and supporters. Town Administrator Peter Parchue took the role of Master of Ceremonies for the afternoon. Parchue introduced the Nunez sisters and the Garifuna Heartbeats who did an excellent job with the Belizean National Anthem accompanied by the ever present cultural drums. The anthem was followed by the invocation offered by Reverend Elswith Clare; and Deputy Mayor Earth Lopez did the welcoming address.

Garifuna branch from San Ignacio holds workshop in Orange walkThe National Garifuna Council, San Ignacio Branch conducted a workshop on Saturday with Garifuna women in Orange Walk to embrace their cultural heritage. The women examined the Garifuna history, language, food, customs, and songs. This is happening as there is already dialogue to launch a Women’s arm in the Hopkins, to be referred to as the Sandy Beach Women’s Cooperative, the first Garifuna Women’s Cooperative in the country of Belize.
“Elder women counsel and mentoring the young, I am passing on the legacy through the Grace of God,” says Ellis, who is the President of the National Garifuna Council in San Ignacio and led the team to Orange Walk.

Khalid and team hit the streets in BelmopanThere are two stories going about in Belmopan, the first is that the PUP is fighting to get into the homes of people to campaign and the other is that the UDP is fighting to get out after they get in.
It is with this kind of attitude that the Belmopan City Council slate officially launched its team and campaign in the Capital City of Belmopan at the May Gordon Park on Thursday February 1. The event took place in the presence of Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow; Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Patrick Faber, Belmopan Area Rep. Hon. John Saldivar; Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley and Belize City Mayoral candidate Dion Leslie.

Mexican Ambassador talks election, contraband, and ChetumalWith the election of a new president of Mexico just months away, there are several early announcements of candidacies including Jose Antonio Meade, the former Foreign Minister who has visited Belize, and left-wing contender, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
This election will prove to be a different one especially as it relates to the Mexican Diaspora. For the first time in history, the 500,000 Mexicans living outside of Mexico will have the opportunity to vote in this election for the president and senators, a process that has partly been made possible through the efforts of the ambassador.

No policemen to work at sex trade establishmentsPolice Commissioner Allen Whylie has announced that he will be carefully managing police officers and those special duties that they carry out for the business community. They will now have to strictly comply with the police regulations and apply to him to work these special duties.
Readers may know what these special duties are. Police officers often earn extra income, kind of like overtime salaries, by providing security to different business establishments. The problem is that some of these special duties were flagged by the US Government’s Trafficking in Persons (TIPS) Report of 2017. The Belize Government has been working hard to improve the country’s tier 3 grade by the US State Department, which is the worst assessment that the US officials give countries.

Troy Gabb gone crazy; the PUP’s Violence and the PUP’s baggageWhat type of idiot is Troy Grab ? Now he is saying, that government should Nationalize the Mahogany Heights lands and work out a payment plan with the owners of the land and pay for the land for the homeowners. Was he not the person in charge when we were made to pay the wrong person for that property ? Why should we pay a second time for his “folly?” It is plain common sense that since the area has some major development on it we would have to pay market value.

Murder trial commences against Norman SlusherOn Wednesday February 7th the sensational murder case of Norman Slusher who is accused of killing a well-known Belize City Car dealer got under way in the Supreme Court of Justice Adolph Lucas in a trial by judge.
At the time of the murder Slusher was shot by a patron of Dale’s Barber Shop located at the corner of West Canal and Bishop Street where Jason Canto was when he was shot and killed on May 10, 2012. That patron, was identified as Jose Shoman. The motive for the murder is unknown. Canto was shot as many as eight times to the body. He died on the spot.

Anthony Crawford remanded on gun chargeAnthony Edward Crawford, a 34-year-old figure who has been before the court on numerous occasions, was back in court on Monday, February 5, 2018 and is on remand at the Belize Central Prison on another gun accusation charge. Crawford was arraigned before Magistrate Kadeen Palma for a single offense of aggravated assault with a firearm upon Hubert Velasquez.

Three men remanded for armed robberyA trio of men was arraigned on Monday, February 5, 2018 for an armed robbery that took place at Highwayman Service Station located in the Lord’s Bank area of Ladyville. The robbery was captured on surveillance camera which led police to the arrest of the three men.
Those men have been identified as 25-year-old Jose Cocom Jr., 19-year-old Kentroy McKoy, and 21-year-old Edison Palacio, all of Belize City. The men appeared before Magistrate Kadeen Palma to answer to the charge of robbery with a firearm. The allegations are that Thursday, January 31, 2018 while at the Puma Highwayman Service Station located at Mile 9 ˝ on the Phillip Goldson Highway, the men used a firearm to steal $325 cash from one of the workers at the service station.

BDF Soldier fined after allegedly pulling firearm on civilianA gun related incident has led to the charging of a BDF officer. That officer, Kareem Beeks, was detained and charged pending investigation into a report made by a woman who claims that Beeks pointed the firearm at her. The woman made a call to the police and after giving them a description of the man she claims pointed the firearm at her, the suspect was pursued and detained.
That suspect turned out to be Kareem Beeks, a 25-year-old BDF soldier. Beeks was arraigned before magistrate Kadeen Palma on Monday, February 5, 2018 for resisting arrest as well as using indecent words to PC Knox Clark.

Belizean American kills U.S. MarineHezron Parks, a 21 year old resident of Phoenix Arizona, in the United States, is facing a charge of second degree murder after he turned himself into the hands of US law enforcement and admitted that he shot and killed a former Marine. Reports to the press are that he has Belizean roots, and that he was raised in the Stann Creek Village of Mango Creek.
The incident happened on Sunday, February 4, in Scottsdale, another city in Arizona. According to US press reports, 34 year-old Kyle Brayer, a former Marine and a 10-year veteran of the Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department, was off-duty, and he was riding in a golf cart with friends early that day in Scottsdale. According to the cops, that’s when a man in a red Scion coupe reportedly began tail gating, and nearly hitting the back of the cart.

Murder suspect caught in CanadaCanadian law enforcement have detained 28 year-old Jordan Bacchus, a Canadian who fled from Belize after he was being investigated for the murder of San Pedro Resident Melvin Almendarez. Bacchus had been on the run from Belize Police since May of 2016, when he was first investigated for the murder of the well-known footballer.
The Toronto Sun Newspaper, out of Canada, reports that on Friday, February 2, the Greater Sudbury Police executed a search warrant at a home in Northern Ontario. That’s when Bacchus was detained with a woman, and inside the home, the cops found drugs and money. The Canadian newspaper reports that the officers seized 385.45 grams of cocaine and 10.46 grams of “purple heroine”, an extremely potent form of the drug, all to a total street value of 45,000 Canadian dollars.

Law Student is charged for harmA Law student studying at Wesley Junior College was arraigned this morning in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on two criminal offenses, harm and assaulting a male police officer during an incident at Precinct 1 police station located on Euphrates Avenue on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 1:35 a.m.
23-year-old Shamira Imani Kisses Neal, was arraigned on Wednesday February 7 before Senior Magistrate, Aretha Ford. She was unrepresented as she was read two criminal charges, one count of harm and one count of assaulting a police officer, PC Christon Moore.

Love triangle leaves one man hospitalized and the other on remandA love triangle has landed a teenager before the court on serious charges against his ex-wife’s new boyfriend who he managed to ambush and attack. That teenager has been identified as 18-year-old Elroy Williams, a resident of the Lord’s Bank area. Williams was taken before Magistrate Michelle Trapp on Friday, February 2, 2018 where he was read two criminal and indictable offenses of attempted murder and use of deadly means of harm.

Security Guard stabbed for denying access to the Princess CasinoJohn Brackett, a 49-year-old construction worker and Prince Street resident, was arraigned on Friday, February 2, 2018 after he was accused of attacking a security guard. Brackett who was unrepresented was arraigned before Magistrate Michelle Trapp where he was read a single charge of attempted murder.
The allegation against Brackett is that on Thursday, February 1, 2018, he attempted to murder Kenrick Valencio with the use of a knife. In a report made by the 34-year-old victim, he was on duty at the Princess Hotel and Casino on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 when he refused Brackett entry into the casino due to this behavior.

Belize City Defenders commence 2018 basketball campaign on the right footingThe Pepsi National Elite Basketball League competition continued over the last weekend with three games on the schedule.
On Saturday 3 February, 2018, at the St. Catherine Academy Mercy Centre in Belize City, the Belize City Defenders, in its first official game of the 2018 campaign, upended the Orange Walk Running Rebels by the score of 104-76.
The Belize City Defenders were led by Nigel Jones who scored 30 points to go along with his 13 rebounds and a steal in his season’s opener. Jones had a supporting cast, which consisted of Francis Arana who scored 14 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists and Brandon Rogers who contributed 13 points towards the win.

Verdes FC open lead in Premier League Closing Season competitionThe Premier League of Belize 2017-2018 Closing Season continued over the last weekend with three games on the schedule.
On Sunday 4th February, 2018, at the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio Town, the defending champions and the league’s leading Verdes FC continued its dominance of the competition when it blanked the host team Placencia Assassins FC by the score of 2-0.
The first goal of the game was scored by Alcides Thomas in the 8th minute of play to give his team a 1-0 lead.
Verdes FC took the lead into the half time break and in the opening minutes of the second half, Elroy Kuylen scored his team’s 2nd goal of the game in the 47th minute of play for the white-wash win.

Belize Elementary and Hummingbird Elementary boys and girls lead in primary schools volleyball competitionThe Belize City Primary Schools Volleyball competition continues at the Stars Gym in Belize City.
On Tuesday 6th February, in the only game played in the girls’ competition, Belize Elementary School won over St. Joseph School by the score of 25-17 and 25-23.
In the first of two games played in the boys’ competition, Belize Elementary School defeated Bethel Primary School by the score of 25-6 and 25-20.
And in the second game of the day, St. Ignatius School won over Queen Square Anglican School via the default route.

Football Federation of Belize host FIFA InstructorOn Saturday February 3, 2018 over 30 referees gathered at the Marion Jones Stadium for a physical fitness test conducted by FIFA Instructor Erick Samayoa. While the test was initially designed for our two international referees, interest spread very quickly and thus over 30 referees showed up. In the end 5 assistant referees passed and 3 referees as well. These numbers should not be seen as an indictment of the referees but more as an incentive to keep up their training to become physically fit since for most this was the first time participating in this test.

Anything can happenLast time I related a story about a neighborhood acquaintance whom people in the Union Town Area dubbed with the name “Rogers”, because of his resemblance to the Country and Western singer. I made a joke about how he hustled the PUP campaigners for his rent money. In truth I sympathize with all politicians when elections come around since about 5% of voters see this as an opportunity to bleed the candidates for cash or kind. I remember my own stint in 2006 when I used to come home from work at 5 in the evening and meet a group of people waiting for me with all sorts of health maladies; needing medical attention or to fill out prescriptions. One particular man I personally knew to be an addict actually produced a paper from a doctor that he urgently needed medication. On that occasion I phoned my colleague Phillip and asked him to kindly fill it out for the man at cost and he agreed.

UDP: DYNAMIC, HARDWORKING & COMPETENTIt is interesting, but very painful to watch and listen to the rubbish of Johnny and the PUP in their ads. One dumb cry over and over and over i.e. you can’t eat streets and that too much is spent on roads, bridges, stadiums, sporting facilities, etc. That political position is just silly, foolish, stupid, nonsense... especially since they built nothing that looks decent. Their bridges have fallen into the water, their houses lean and their housing projects have been taken over by termites! BILLIONS stolen, that is what you have to remember on Election Day! Protect yourself and the Jewel from Musa & Fonseca!

PUP Shookshook.
adj. scared, afraid, hesitant.
“They scared to death, they scared to look, they shook... cause ain’t no such thing as halfway crooks.” Mobb Deep, Shook Ones
According to the talk in the street and using an urban slang, the PUP is SHOOK. With less than a month left to Municipal Elections it is clearly being seen that the LEADERSHIP and the supporters of the PUP are running scared and are now desperate. They appear to be willing to do anything to try and salvage some more votes in order not to suffer too much of a large defeat. In their desperation they first began to try and turn the people against the UDP by saying that the things that have been done by the present UDP administered Councils was not beneficial to the residents of those municipalities.

Words of Life with Pastor Barry FraserThis week I am addressing wives. Praising God and praying His will for your spouse is guaranteed to be your most rewarding work as his wife. With this powerful prayer, you will be arming your marriage with God’s Word and investing in his role as your spiritual leader.
Ladies, I encourage you to say this prayer. Instead of “my husband” you can substitute his name.

February Weather Update and Assisting a Gracious Man With Merida MedicalThe weather on Ambergris Caye is finally starting to be more “normal” for this time of year. After the extremely cool and often wet January we had, it’s nice to put away the raingear and long sleeved shirts. Although the rain has lightened up, it’s always a good idea to keep an umbrella close by (for rain or sun) and a rain jacket or whatever you need to protect your electronics from a sudden shower.
Carlo and Ernie’s Runway Bar is hosting an important fundraiser Sunday, February 11, 2018, with drink specials, raffles, a bake sale, and music with Carlos Jex and Dennisito. Guest musicians are welcome. Watch their facebook page for start time and up to date event details.

International Sources

Structure not ad-hoc agendas key to US-Caribbean relationsMuch has been said about the government of the United States of America (US) cutting off aid to countries that do not support that country’s position in international organizations.
The US, of course, is free to direct its aid where it wishes and very much within its rights to show its displeasure with countries that take its money but don’t support it.
Other donor countries have the same view, although they do not express it in quite the same way as the US government now makes clear.
Aid, after all, seldom has moral considerations. Economic aid, in particular, was introduced in the world because it merged with the desire of rich countries to maintain access to markets of developing countries and to garner political influence over them.

Videos

Maaga Season Bash Video, 6min. The 501 Boyz made a fun video that captured all the highlights of the Pepsi Maaga Season Bash. Fun times were had. A resounding "Thank You" to Pepsi Belize for making the 2nd Annual Pepsi Maaga Season BASH in San Ignacio, Cayo a HUGE SUCESS despite the weather conditions! Thank you to the residents of Cayo, and to those who came from all corners of our Jewel to hangout with us!

Incredible Screeching Monkeys In Belize, 1min. This video is shot, as usual, on a GoPro. This features when we went to Belize in Central America, and went hiking to see the ancient Mayan ruins. On the way there, we heard these incredible screeching monkeys that actually sounded like Hollywood sound effects!

Efforts to promote Belizean music, 7min. The Directorate General for Foreign Trade in collaboration with Beltraide and the Belize Coalition of Service Providers are making efforts to make Belizean music an economically profitable export sector. Here's more...